Australian cricket legend Brett Lee has voiced his support for Scott Boland to be included in the playing XI for the upcoming Ashes Test opener against England, set to begin on June 16 at Edgbaston.
Boland, who impressed in the WTC Final against India, played a crucial role in Australia's victory by taking key wickets, including those of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. However, with the return of Josh Hazlewood from injury, the composition of Australia's bowling attack remains uncertain.
"It's a conundrum, isn't it? I'm a massive Hazlewood fan, and also Mitchell Starc. What the team has done so well is they've put themselves into a position where you've got to leave one guy out, which is going to be heartache for whichever bowler it is. I think you go Scott Boland. You can't overlook Scott Boland in those conditions," Lee shared with Nine's Today.
Considering Boland's impressive performances in both Australian and English conditions, Lee believes he deserves a place in the team. Hazlewood's recovery from an Achilles injury adds further complexity to the selection process.
Australia last won an Ashes series on foreign soil in 2001, a team that featured Lee, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, and Shane Warne. Lee remains optimistic about Australia's chances in the upcoming series but stresses the importance of the first match at Edgbaston.
"Edgbaston is the key for me. There's a lot of pressure on the Poms as well because when you think about this whole Bazball thing they have been playing, if they lose the first Test, the English press will be pretty hard on England. For Australia, they've got to start well," Lee emphasized.
As Australia faces the bowling selection challenge, all eyes will be on the team management's decision as they aim to reclaim the Ashes urn on English soil.